Blimpie International, Inc. announced on Friday that Jeffrey Endervelt resigned as chairman, CEO and president of Blimpie International, Inc., effective immediately to focus on his other business interests. In the interim, Blimpie International’s Board of Directors has hired Mark Samson, managing director of Getzler Henrich-Management & Financial Consultants, granting Samson corporate authority as it relates to the administration of the company until a new CEO and president can be named.

Under Endervelt’s leadership of the past four years, Blimpie underwent a re-positioning including a new restaurant design, refreshed logo and brand image, and the successful introduction of the panini grill and Ciabatta bread sandwiches..

“We have effectively repositioned the company and placed it back on a growth track, including opening 92 Blimpie restaurants in Wal-Mart stores across the country,” says Endervelt. “We have a strong and talented management team made up of industry veterans who, along with Mark Samson, will lead the brand until a new CEO can be hired.”